Wednesday, December 28, 2011

holiday highlights

{Top, Sweater, Pants, Bracelet, Earrings & Belt- Thrifted; Scarf & Gloves- Gap; Boots- Aldo}
{I'm linking up to Silverstyle's Trending Through the Decades: Christmas Edition with this festive ensemble}

I'm baaaackkk! Did you miss me? I sure missed you- 2 weeks away from blogging felt like an eternity! I hope you enjoyed the guest bloggers I had lined up- thanks to Brett, Shea, Tiffany, Heather & Kayla, Dawn and Tracy for your fun-filled and festive posts!

I had an amazing time in Nova Scotia- I even (briefly) contemplated moving back home! My whole family lives out East and even though I moved away over 5 years ago, I still get homesick and wish I could see everyone more often! My man and I spent a week with my Mum, Step-Dad and sister in an 18th century farmhouse (which they are in the process of converting into a Bed & Breakfast) and a week with my Dad, Step-Mom, sister and step-sisters in the house I grew up in. 

{My Mum & Step-Dad's house in Upper Granville (follow their B&B adventures here)}
{The house I grew up in where my Dad, Step-Mom and step-sisters now live}
{Dress- Thrifted; Cape- Gifted (from my Mum); Brooch- Gifted (from my sister); Bracelet- Gifted (from my man); Boots-Aldo; Ring-H&M}
 

There were lots of homecooked meals, late-night chats and family jokes and here are some of my highlights from Christmas 2011:

**snuggling together by the wood-stove (which heats my Mum and Step-Dad's whole house so this is where we spent about 85% of our time in the valley!)



**attending an art gallery opening in the countryside, where my Mum is a Board member (I bought a neat Christmas lights photograph for my man and this eclectic Christmas tree for my Mum and Step-Dad:)



**teaching my first Zumba class to my Mum`s friends

{My sister, Mum and I practicing for Zumba!}
**going thrifting at Guy`s Frenchy`s where I basically got a whole new wardrobe for under $120! (You can check out all my purchases here)

{My new dress from Frenchy's and my Mum's beautiful washroom cabinets}
**the food (particularly greasy garlic cheese fingers which I can`t find in Ottawa; a veggie Christmas meal thanks to my Dad and homemade candy cane truffles)




**being silly with my younger sister, who I only see a couple of times a year but who is one of the smiliest, sweetest girls you`ll ever meet

**late-night meal and Fishbowl Friday with my Dad and Step-Mom at Boston Pizza



**watching It`s a Wonderful Life (my first time seeing it!) with my best-friend from High School who is now an art student at one of the country`s most prestigious art schools

{The adorable peacocks my friend made from modelling clay and feathers}
**and most importantly, relaxing, enjoying the company of others without the everyday stresses

{My man is the king of relaxation!}
I hope everyone had (or is having, depending on how long your vacation is) a restful, relaxing and rejuvenating holiday season! 
     I look forward to catching up on all the blog posts I missed!

{Top; Sweater; Pants & Scarf- Thrifted; Ring- H&M; Heels-Aldo}

24 comments:

  1. I'm glad you had a great holiday - love the photos! And a belated Happy Festivus to you.

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.com

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  2. Wow great pictures! Welcome back! Haha... to me too. You look fabulous and i enjoy your pictures of fun, food and family. Looks like a fantastic holiday.

    Mongs
    mythriftycloset.blogspot.com

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  3. Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday! I love the recap photos - so cute! Your outfits are great too!

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  4. Looks like you had a great time at home! Love the outfits - very cute and chic!

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  5. EMILY!!!! Welcome back. Missed your sweet face. I really enjoyed this post. Loved seeing everything back home. Wow...so many inspiring photos, lovely decor, gorg. outfits, artwork...I really am happy for you having had such a delightful visit. That dress from Frenchy's is amazing. I loveee your mum's house...it is truly my dream home. Have a great time catching up!!! Dawn Suitcase Vignettes xo

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  6. Welcome Back. Sound Like you had a great time.

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  7. Welcome back, Emily! It sounds like you had a wonderful time with your family. I hope you have a fabulous New Year too!

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  8. Welcome back! It sounds like ou had a great time. Your mom is probably the cutest woman ever :-)

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  9. Wow, that's a lot of snow! I like all your pictures--so festive! Your bee (butterfly?) pin is pretty. Were your mom and her friends able to keep up with your Zumba moves?

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  10. wow, don't even know where to start from :P anyway, your vacation does look beyond cool and I totally miss my holidays which will maybe come some time next year..
    and how cool is the fact you thrifted whole wardrobe! good girl indeed :D oh, and those outfits shown here look great too. perfect for holidays :)

    Maiken/
    Maikeni blogi - part of me

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  11. Wow Emily, it sounds like you had an amazing time with your family! I love the pictures of your family's homes too--they're beautiful!

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  12. I am so glad to hear you had a fantastic time back home! :) Thank you for sharing pics of your adventures! Those peacocks look beautifully made!
    ♥ laura
    the blog of worldly delights

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  13. every outfit you wore is fab! that food looked amazing. are you a vegetarian too? your friend made beautiful peacocks. sounds like you had a splendid holiday time. :)

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  14. It looks like you had a wonderful holiday. I absolutely love the cape your mom gave you. So glad you had a great time with your family! :)

    http://theclosetintervention.blogspot.com/

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  15. I missed you my little friend! I'm so glad you had such a nice holiday at home.
    You are adorable in this outfit. You look so happy!
    Thanks for linking up!

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  16. that looks like a really beautiful place to call home - glad you had a lovely holiday!

    Chic on the Cheap

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  17. What a lovely home and I love those leopard heels in your last picture! Happy Holidays!

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  18. LOVE that outfit! All the layers look super cozy. The leopard peep-toes in your last outfit are fabulous, too!

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  19. Yay! I missed you! Glad you had a fun and safe trip. Your pictures are so sweet, thank you for sharing them with us. It's so nice that you got to spend time with everyone you love this season.

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  20. So happy to see your cute face again!! You look so gorgeous and super happy. I love all those photos and feel like I was right there with you. So cool.

    xoxo,
    Tracy

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  21. Merry, Merry Christmas darling! You are always so pretty, stylish and full of life!

    You're definitely one of my top fave peepz in the world!


    xox,

    ML
    @20YS
    WIN 1-Year Supply of THANN Body Butter
    http://www.twentyyork.com/2011/12/whole-new-year-of-thann.html

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  22. Looks like you had a great Christmas vacation with your family! I hope you have a very happy New Year :)

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  23. em - LOVE the pic of you siting on the bench. that is the first time i have seen your natural smile on this blog and it is just lovely! showcase it more often ;-)

    love you bff

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  24. Sometimes the simplest things can provide inspiration - I like the rolled cuffs on your red sweater with the striped top peeking out underneath.

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One of my daily joys is reading the lovely comments you leave. It may take a day or two (or three, depending on how hectic life gets!) but I will stop by your slice of the blogosphere soon! xo Emily